Bath-tub or sink



(No Model.)

F. A. WELLS.

BATH TUB 0R SINK.

Patented Nov. l, 1887.

#AIS

N. PETERS. Phulglhogmpher. Wnshingn. D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK A. VELLS, OF ALLEGHENY, PENNSYLVANIA.

BATH-TUB R slNK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent l1\1|'0. 372,37, dated November 1, .8E7.

Application filed November 16, 1886. Serial No. 219,006. (No model.)

iication, reference being had to the accompain different positions.

panying drawings, forming a part thereof.

The Iiist purpose of this invention is to provide improved means for supplying water to bathtubs or sinks, to attain the following result: First, a noiselcss supply; second, -uniform heating or cooling of the surface of the tub by the water discharged into it, so preventing the cracking or crazing7 of the enamel; third, facility for thoroughly rinsing -off the sides of the tub by the water discharged into it, so avoiding t-he more laborious process of hand-cleaning, which, in the absence of any convenience for performing it, is commonly deferred until the soap and dirt have hardened outhe tub and have thereby been rendered difficult of removal, and, fourth, more coniplete mingling of the hot and cold streams before they are discharged into the tub, thereby diminishing the Vaporization which results when hot and cold water come into contact in the open tub, and so diminishing the damage to wood-work and ornamentation upon the walls and ceiling, which such excessive vaporization causes.

The second purpose of this invention is to furnish a shower for rinsing vessels in a sink, or when applied to a bath tub, to be received by the bather, seated or prostrate in the tub, avoiding the shock caused by overhead showers, as well as the inconvenience of that inode of application, owing to the tendency of the water so fapplied to scatter, making necessary a special inclosure about some portion of the tub to prevent wetting the entire room.

These purposes are accomplished by the devices hereinafter described, and illustrated in the drawings, wherein- 4 Figure l is a plan. Fig. 2 is alongitudinal vertical section of a bath-tub having my improvement, taken at W W, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a transvelse vertical section through X X, Fig. I, but showing the flushing-rim shield or hood Fig. Ltisa similar transi verse vertical section showing a modified form,

wherein the tlushingrim is integral with the tub. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section through lthe flushing-rim, as at Y Y, Fig. 2, showing the junction of the several parts and the connection of the three-way cock that supplies hot and cold water to the rim.

A is the tub. B isa three-way cock, admitting two streamshot and cold-by the pas sages B and B, and discharging them as one by thepassage B3 into the flushing-rim A. The iiushingrim comprises the foot section A10 and curved head section A11V and the similar lateral sections, A12 A. lThe head and foot sections consist of an introverted flange or lip, formed or secured on the body of the tub and carried first away from the wall and then back toward it and terminating near to it, leaving only narrow rifts am and (tu, respectively, through which the water may escape in" a thin sheet against the surface of the tub. The lateral sections may also be formed integral with the tub when the latter is made of sheet metal. Such form is shown in Fig. 3. In that case the same lip or flange which forms the head section is continued around the sides, being, however, bent in toward the surface ofthe tub until the edge of the lip touches said surface, and it may be preferably soldered thereto.

When the tub is made of earthenware, or

cast and enameled, the lateral section may be made of metal pipe, which I then connect by tightjoints A3 A13, with the ends of the head section A10, and by suitable angles, A14 A, with the foot section A11. In whichever form the lateral sections A12 A12 are made and joined to the tub and to the head and foot sections, they are perforated, as illustrated, on the side toward the center and bottom of the tub, the

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charged, including the perforations in the sections A, and the discharge'rifts am and a, at the head and foot, should preferably not so much exceed the area ofthe supply-aperture through the cock B that the supply-pressure will be in sufiicient force to throwasatisfactorily forcible spray through the perforations a1",- butin cases where the su pply-pressure is weak and variable, there may be provided at the head end ofthe lateral sections A the cut-off valves A A1", which, being closed, will limit the discharge to the foot and lateral sections, and so increase the pressure on the shower.

For the ordinary use of the bath when no shower is desired, and particularly in filling it, to avoid noise, the showcrsections A" A will be hooded by means of the hoods or shields D, which are made to extend the entire length ofthe lateral sections A". Each hood is pivotcd on the upperside of one of the said sections A, and, inoperative position, as seen in Fig. 3, it extends from said pivotal line in a curve diverging from the surface ofthe perforated showersection, and down, around and under the same, curving in toward the wall ot' the tub, and preferably terminating at a very short distance from said wall in a downward curved lip, d. It may be provided with a handle or handles, D' D', and when the bather desires to use the shower he will tip the hood D back into the position shown in Fig. l and in dotted lines in Fig. 2.

In operative position the hood gathers the shower into a solid sheet and discharges it` against the wall ofthe tub in a manner precisely similar to the head and foot sections Am and A". By the use of this supply-rim the water enters the tub almost noiselessly, and, by coming into Contact with the entire surface of the tub from top to bottom, gives it a uniform temperature throughout, which prevents the damage to the enamel which results when the tub is lled in the. customary manner bya stream discharged through a cock, whereby the water fills up the tub from the bottom and only comes into contact with the sides as it rises. In such case the expansion of the bottom and lower portion otl the sides, being greater or occurring sooner than at the upper part of the sides, tends to cause the enamel to crack at the water-line or over the middle portion of the sides at the level to which the tub is most frequently iillcd.

Vhen the bather has finished his use of the tub, and While allowing it to cmpty,the Water, being admitted through the rini onto the sides, will rinse them down thoroughly and Without any special attention being given to the matter, so that the tub may be left in as cleanly a condition as when entered.

In a sink the uses of the device are essentially the same as in a bath-tub, the sink itself being flushed by turning down the hood and directing the water against the sides, and the shower beingthrown onto articles Which are being Washed by lifting the hood.

l. In combination with a bathtub or sink, a supply pipe or duct extending around the upper edge and perforated on the side toward the bathspaee to cause it to throw a shower into the tub, and a hood or shield located outside such perforated pipe in the path of the shower and terminating in a lip standing near thc wall of the tub and removable out of the path ofthe shower at will, snbslantiallyas set forth.

2. In combination with the tub orsink and the horizontal perforated supplypipe, the hood pivotcd above the supply-pipe and pendent from such pivot into the path of the shower from the perlorated pipe and removable out of the path of the shower by swinging on such pivot, substantially as set forth.

3. ln combination with the hath tub having head and foot flanges Al" and A, formed integrally therewith, perforated pipes forming the lateral sections of the supplyrim joined to the said head and foot flanges, substantially as set forth.

4. In combination with the bath-tub having the supplyrim co niposcd ofthe nonperforated head and foot sections A and A and the perforated lateral section A, the cut-offval ves A, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof] have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of two witnesses, at Chicago, Illinois, this 15th day of October, A. D. 1886.

FRANK A. NVELLS.

\Vitnesses:

Clins. S. BURTON, G. G. J AoKsoN. 

